Method and apparatus for fabricating pile goods

ABSTRACT

A method of, and apparatus for, the fabrication of pile goods in which the pile material is introduced through the intermediary of an infeed sword member into the spaces formed between radially extending lamellae located about the periphery of a revolving drum. During introduction of the pile material into these spaces, this material is fixedly retained relative to the drum by holding means in the form of a holding sword member. The infeed sword member and the holding sword member are moved towards and away from the drum and during their work position at the drum while in the neighborhood thereof such are moved in the direction of drum rotation and during their rest position when remote from the drum they are moved back opposite to the direction of drum rotation. The holding sword member is introduced into a space at the peripheral surface of the drum before or directly after the infeed sword member has been withdrawn from such space, and then the holding sword member is retained in this space for such length of time until the infeed sword member has been introduced into the next space, whereupon these operations repeat. The invention is also directed to pile goods produced in accordance with the inventive method.

llnited States Paten 1191 Reinhard l lfillltll 2Q, 1973 22 Filed:

[ METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR FABRICATING PILE GOODS [75] Inventor: Paul Reinhard, Melchnau, Switzerland 73] Assignee: Tepp ichfabrik Melchnau AG.,

' Melchnau, Switzerland Sept. 8, 1971 [21] Appl. No.: 178,751

[30] Foreign Application Priority Data Primary Examiner-G. V. Larkin Attorney-Werner W. Kleeman [57] ABSTRACT A method of, and apparatus for, the fabrication of pile goods in which the pile material is introduced through the intermediary of an infeed sword member into the spaces formed between radially extending lamellae located about the periphery of a revolving drum. During introduction of the pile material into these spaces, this material is fixedly retained relative to the drum by holding means in the form of a holding sword member. The infeed sword member and the holding sword member are'moved towards and away from the drum and during their work position at the drum while in the neighborhood thereof such are moved in the direction of drum rotation and during their rest position when remote from the drum they are moved back opposite to the direction of drum rotation. The holding sword member is introduced into a space at the peripheral surface of the drum before or directly after the infeed sword member has been withdrawn from such space, and then the holding sword member is retained in this space for such length of timeuntil the infeed sword member has been introduced into the next space, whereupon these operations repeat. The invention is also directed to pile goods produced in accordance with the inventive method.

21 Claims, 5 Drawing Figures PATENTEHmzoma 312L372 sum 1 [1F 2 METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR FABRICATING PILE GOODS BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a new and improved method for the fabrication of pile goods in which the pile material is introduced through the intermediary of an infeed sword into the gaps or spaces formed between radially extending lamellaeor blades located about the periphery of a revolving drum, during the introduction or infeed of the pile material into these spaces the pile material is fixedly retained relative to the drum by holding means, and wherein the infeed sword and the holding means are moved towards and away from the drum and during their work position at the drum while in the neighborhood thereof such are moved in the direction of drum rotation and during their rest position when remote from such drum they are moved back opposite to the direction of drum rotation. Apart from the method aspects of this development the invention is also directed to an improved apparatus for the performance of the inventive method as well as to pile goods or articles fabricated in accordance with such method.

The general technique discussed above has been proposed as a variant of prior art pile good fabricating procedures in order to prevent destruction of the pile material between the infeed means and the drum lamellae. With the state-of-the-art method, it is necessary to employ two independent and opposite working holding rails. This is because the one holding rail which somewhat leads the infeed rail must be again either simultaneously retracted from the drum together with the infeed rail or at the latest shortly thereafter, since they are conjointly mounted for movement with and opposite the drum, so that the second holding rail must fixedly retain the pile material against the tension ex-' erted at the in feeding material by the revolving drum.

With this known construction the different rails are mounted at machine parts pivotable about the drumaxis, rendering possible movement of these-rails with the drum and thereturn thereof opposite the direction of revolving motion of the drum. Owing to these measures the to-and-fro moved parts are rather massive so that for their reciprocatory or to-and-fro movement there is required a drive at least in the revolving direction of the drum.

While this known technique to a certain extent has overcome the previous drawback existing with other prior art techniques in regard to loading or stressing the yarn material, still owing to the large number of movements which must be synchronized and the great oscillating masses the procedures contemplated thereby are very difficult to adequately control and the equipment itself is expensive to manufacture.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Hence, from whathas been stated above it will be recognized that a real need still exists in the art for an improved method of fabricating pile goods which is not associated with the aforementioned drawbacks experienced with the prior art techniques. Therefore, a primary object of the present invention is directed towards the teaching of such improved method of inventive method.

And yet a further noteworthy object of this invention relates to both an improved method of, and apparatus for, fabricating pile goods, wherein the method operations can be readily and easily controlled and carried out, and wherein the apparatus for the performance of the inventive method is not only reliable in the performance of its intended functions, but also is relatively simple in construction and design, economical to manufacture, and the equipment itself requires very little maintenance and servicing.

Insofar as the method aspects of this particular invention are concerned, there is contemplated utilizing as the holding means a holding sword which is introduced into a space at the peripheral surface of the the next space, whereupon these operations repeat.

fabricating pile goods in a manner effectively and reliably overcoming the aforementioned drawbacks of Since there is advantageously employed a holding sword and since such is introduced into the same space adjacent the infeed sword located in such space and prior to withdrawal of such infeed sword and since the holding sword thus introduced is permitted to remain in such space until the infeed sword has been introduced into the next space the second holding rail employed with the heretofore discussed prior art technique is not required. This brings about a phenomenal saving in regard tothe expenditure of equipment components.

- Apart from the foregoing aspects this invention is also concerned with a novel construction of apparatus for the performance of the inventive method. Specifically there is provided a driven revolving drum which is suitably mounted at a machine frame, this drum possessing about its periphery radially protruding, essentially parallel lamellae or blades forming therebetween successive gaps or spaces disposed about the drum periphery. Furthermore, there is provided an infeed sword member which can be introduced into such gapsv or spaces and a holding means in the form of a holding sword member which is movable towards the drum for fixedly retaining the introduced pile material. The infeed sword member and the holding sword member are driven to move towards and away from the drum by means of separate drive means in synchronism with the drum drive. When the infeed sword member and hold ing sword member have assumed their working position at the proximate region of the drum they are movable with such in the direction of revolving movement of the drum and when such infeed sword member and holding sword member are in their rest position remote i.e. further away from the drum they can be returned opposite to the direction of revolving movement of the drum. According to important aspects of this apparatus development there is provided a stop or limit means at the machine frame for limiting the movement of the infeed sword member in a direction opposite to the when consideration is given to the following detailed description thereof. Such description makes reference to the annexed drawings wherein:

FIGS. 1 to 4 are schematic, fragmentary views illustrating a preferred constructional form of inventive apparatus for carrying out the method aspects of this invention, and depicting in the various Figures the different operational phases or stages and the positional the following measures, both individually and in various combinations:

a. changing the stroke of the infeed sword;

b. changing the stroke of the holding sword;

c. sub-dividing one or both swords into sections or parts which can partially move independently in the stroke direction; an irregular i.e. stepped or undulated construction of the knife edge of one or both swords; and

e. lateral displacement of at least one sword.

As will be still further discussed hereinafter the means to achieve these purposes can be simply provided at the apparatus.

Even though the drive for the up-and-down movement of both swords is synchronously matched to the revolving movement of the drum and advantageously separately maintained, still, owing to the inventive method and the inventive apparatus as a practical matter only one stop is required at the machine frame for the infeed sword. Further, this last-mentioned sword can serve as a stop for the holding sword when it is moved opposite to the direction of revolving of the drum, for instance under the action of spring force, in order to be inserted next to the infeed sword into the same gap or space.

Owing to the extremely simple construction it is possible, for instance, to vary the stroke of the swords in that such are driven via pivotable or tiltable levers through the agency of eccentric means and the pivoting or tilting mounting for the pivotable levers can be designed to be displaceable for the purpose of changing the lever arms and, therefore, in known manner the effect or action of the eccentric means upon the stroke of the sword.

Since only the sword or both swords must follow the movement of the drum in the direction of revolving thereof there is not required as a general rule a corresponding drive.

The sword located in the gap between two blades or lamellae of the drum can be entrained, because of its relatively low weight, by the drum itself and against a corresponding slightly dimensioned i.e. low force spring.

According to a further preferred manifestation of the inventive method it is also possible to carry out patterning in that, for instance, the lisle, pile yarn or other pile material, such as for instance, a fleece or web is not distributed uniformly over the entire width, rather is delivered with a regular or irregular variable distributron.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS I The invention will be better understood and objects other than those set forth above, will become apparent arrangement of the most significant components utilized in the practise of the method during these different working stages or phases; and

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary, schematic view of the knife edge portion of a sword used in the preferred embodiment of inventive equipment depicted in FIGS. 1 to 4.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Describing now the drawings, it is to be understood that in FIGS. 1 to 4 inclusive there have been indicated and illustrated therein the most significant components of the inventive apparatus, wherein the individual FIGS. 1 to 4 themselves respectively depict the different working steps or phases for carrying out the method aspects of this invention as well as the corresponding position of the relevant components to be discussed in detail hereinafter. Considering first then FIG. 1 it will be seen that there is illustrated a portion of a revolving drum 10 which is driven by the schematically illustrated drum drive D in the direction of the arrow A, drum rotation being continuous in the counterclockwise direction. The revolving drum 10 is provided about its periphery withthe radially extending, upstanding or protruding spaced lamellae or blades, generally collectively indicated by reference character L, but wherein to simplify the explanation the lamellae L actually shown in FIGS. 1 to 4 have been designated by the positions denoted by reference characters 1 to 8 along the surface of the revolving drum l0, and this for clarity's sake will thus hereinafter be referred to as lamellae 1, 2, 3 and so forth.

Each two neighboring lamellae 12, 2-3, 3-4, 4-5 and so forth, are spaced from one another about the drum periphery to provide therebetween the respective gaps or spaces 50. Now as the drum continuously revolves in the counterclockwise direction of arrow A, these spaces 50 between the individual lamellae, such as the lamellae l to 6, as shown in FIG. 1, are filled with the pile material 9 which is paid-off any suitable non-illustrated supply, and this pile material being schematically indicated by the chain-dot line as shown. In the showing of FIG. 1 in the space or gap 50 between the lamellae 4 and 5 there is shown introduced a holding sword member 18 and in the space or gap 50 between the lamellae 5 and 6 there is shown introduced the infeed sword member 11, both swords 18 and 11 being' depicted in their working or operable position in relatively close proximity to the surface of the drum 10.

Now, on the one hand, there is provided a driving means in the form of an eccentric 16 which is responsible for the positioning of the infeed sword member 11, this eccentric 16 being providedwith a suitably configured eccentric track or groove 51. A follower element 14 of :1 tiltable or pivotable lever 13 which is pivotably mounted at the mounting means or location 15 at the machine frame S travels in the eccentric groove 51. The pivotable lever 13 in turn moves the infeed sword 11 through the agency of a pivot joint 12. The infeed sword 11 is acted upon by a suitable tension spring 12 secured at one end to the machine frame S, at the other end to the infeed sword 11, as shown, so as to bias or load such infeed sword 11 in a direction opposite to the direction of revolving movement of the drum 16, in other words it is biased in the clockwise direction. The pivotal mounting means 15 for the pivotal lever arrangement 13 is displaceable to enable it to be appropriately positionally altered, as schematically indicated by the double-headed arrow 53, in order to be able to change the stroke of this infeed sword 11.

A similar type of drive arrangement or driving means is provided for the holding sword 18, and it will be more readily appreciated that to this end there is provided an eccentric 24 which has an eccentric track or groove 54 receiving therein a follower piece 22 attached with to one end of the pivotal lever 21 mounted for pivotal movement at the mounting means or location 23 at the machine frame S. The driving eccentric 24l acts upon the pivotal lever arrangement 21and through the agency of the pivot joint 20 actuates thetion of the drives constituted by the eccentrics 16 and sword 18 is likewise subjected to the action of a spring 7 in the showing of FIG. 1 the machine is show at a point in time of its operation shortly following insertion or stuffing of the pile material 9 into the space or gap 50 between the lamellae or blades 5 and 6. The infeed sword member 11 has, therefore, already been entrained somewhat towards the left of FIG. 1 by the revolving'drum 10.

Shortly thereafter, and considering the fact that the drum 10 further continuously rotates, the components then assume the position depicted in FIG. 2 and specifically where thedrive eccentric 24, through the action of the pivotable or til table lever arrangement 21, has begun to raise the holding sword 18 such that the pressure or compression spring l9can move this holding sword in the clockwise direction until it beats with its lower free edge or knife edge against the infeed sword 11. At this point of time the infeed sword 11 is still located in the gap or space 50 between the lamellae or blades 5 and 6. The drive eccentric 16in the meantime has assumed a rotational position directly prior to raising the infeed sword 11, whereas eccentric 24 just begins to push down or lower the holding sword 18, and in so doing the holding sword 18 slidingly moves with its knife edge along the infeed sword 11 and assumes the positiondepicted in FIG. 3. Inthis position both swords l1 and 18 are now located in the same gap or space 58 between the lamellae 5 and 6.

24 it will be seen that the holding sword 18 is still located in the space 50 between the lamellae 5 and 6, whereas now the infeed sword 11 has been already raised by it drive eccentric 16 out of this space 50 between lamellae 5 and 6, and owing to the action of the spring 12 pulled against a machine stop member or limiting means 17. Now, upon further rotation of the eccentric 16 the infeed sword 11 is introduced into the next space 50 formed between the following pair of cooperating lamellae 6 and 7, resulting then in a position of the infeed sword I l and holding sword 18 essentially corresponding to the showing of FIG. 1, the entire cycle then can again repeat.

By displacing the pivotal mounting arrangement 15 and/or 23 provided for the pivotal levers 13 and 21 of the infeed sword 11 and holding sword 18 respectively, it is possible to control in known manner the stroke of both swords l1 and 18.

Now, by referring to FIG. 5' there is shown in a fragmentary enlarged view the free edge or knife edge portion 28 of either of the swords, such as the infeed sword 11 and/or holding sword '18. It will be seen that this knife edge 28 is irregular and such can be obtained, for instance, by recessing the free -marginal edge of the relevant sword 11 or 18 so as to provide the different step portions consisting of the forward located steps 118, 118', 118" between which there are disposed the recessed step portions in the form of the notches or recesses 218, 218 and 218". The edge 28 can also have an undulated or wavy configuration to provide an irregular knife edge surface and in both instances there is ensured that by virtue of these measures the pile material can be introduced to different depths into the gaps or spaces 50 between the lamellae L. Further, there is possible a sub-division of the swords into sections, for instance, as indicated by the parting lines 79 of FIG. 5 and forming the sword sections 80 and 81 etc. and at least partially independently movable in the directions of the illustrated double-headed arrows could bring about a similar but continuous variable effeet when using an appropriate drive.

While there is shown and I described present preferred embodiments of the invention, it is to be distincly understood that the invention is not limited thereto but may be otherwise variously embodied and c. during such feeding of the pile material into each given one of the spaces fixedly holding the pile material relative to the revolving drum by introducing a holding sword member into said one space;

. withdrawing the infeed sword member from said one space;

e. retaining the holding sword member for such length of time in said one space until the infeed sword member has been introduced into the next space; and

f. then repeating steps (a) to (e).

2. The method of fabricating pile goods as defined in claim 1, including the step of introducing the holding sword member into said one space before the infeed sword member is withdrawn out of said one space.

3. The method of fabricating pile goods as defined in claim 1, including the step of introducing the holding sword member into said one space. directly after the infeed sword member has been withdrawn from said one space.

4. The method of fabricating pile goods as defined in claim 1, further including the step of altering the pile height by changing the stroke of at least one of the sword members. i

5. The method of fabricating pile goods as defined in claim 4, wherein said at least one sword member, the stroke of which is changed, is said infeed sword member.

6. The method of fabricating pile goods as defined in claim 4, wherein said at least one sword member, the stroke of which is changed, is said holding sword member.

7. The method of fabricating pile goods as defined in claim 4, including the step of changing the pile height by providing at least one of said sword members with an irregular knife-edge.

8. The method as defined in claim 4, including the step of changing the pile height by providing at least one of said sword members with at least partially independently movable sections.

9. The method as defined in claim 1, including the step of changing the pile height by providing at least one of said sword members with an irregular knifeedge.

10. The method of fabricating pile goods as defined in claim 1, including the step of changing the pile height by providing at least one of said sword members with at least partially independently movable sections.

11. The method as defined in claim 9, including the step of changing the pile height by providing at least one of said sword members with at least partially independently movable sections.

12. The method as defined in claim 7, including the step of changing the pile height by providing at least one of said sword members with at least partially independently movable sections.

13. The method of fabricating pile goods as defined in claim 1, including the step of infeeding the pile material-distributed in a random varying quantity over its width for introduction into the spaces.

14, An apparatus for fabricating pile goods from pile material comprising a machine frame, a drum member rotatably mounted at said machine frame, drive means for rotating said drum member, said rotatable drum member being provided at its periphery with a number of radially protruding essentla ly parallel spaced lame]- lae forming therebetween a plurality of spaces, a movable infeed sword member introducable into such spaces, a movable holding sword member for fixedly retaining the introduced pile material, separate drive means for said infeed sword member and holding sword member driven synchronously with respect to the drum drive means, said separate drive means for said infeed sword member and holding sword member serving to displace said infeed sword member and holding sword member towards and away from said drum member and when said infeed sword member and holding sword member are in close proximity at their working position at the drum member such sword members move in the direction of revolving of the drum and when such sword members are moved back into their rest position removed from the surface of the drum member they are returned opposite to the direction of revolving movement of the drum member, means provided at such machine frame for limiting the movement of the infeed sword member opposite to the direction of revolving movement of the drum member, and wherein said infeed sword member is at least movable independently of the holding sword member opposite to the direction of travel of the drum member, and said holding sword member is movable opposite to the direction of revolution of the drum at most up to contact with the infeed sword member.

15. An apparatus for fabricating pile goods as defined in claim 15, wherein said separate drive means for said infeed sword member and said holding sword member comprise a respective eccentric drive, spring means for biasing both of said sword members opposite to the direction of revolving movement of the drum member, means for movably mounting said sword members at said machine frame, said limiting means being in the form of a stop member provided for said infeed sword member for limiting its mobility opposite to the direction of revolution of the drum member, and wherein said infeed sword member functions as a stop means for limiting the movement of said holding sword member in a direction opposite to the direction of revolving movement of said drum member.

16. The apparatus as defined in claim 14, further including means for varying the stroke of at least one of said sword members.

17. The apparatus as defined in claim 16, wherein said stroke varying means comprises lever means connected with said at least one sword member, and displaceable pivot means for pivotably mounting said lever means.

18. The apparatus as defined in claim 16, wherein at least one of said sword members is provided with a knife edge having an irregular surface.

19. The apparatus as defined in claim 14, further in cluding means for varying the stroke of each of said sword members.

20. The apparatus as defined in claim 14, wherein at least one of said sword members possesses a knife edge having an irregular surface.

21. The apparatus as defined in claim 20, wherein said irregular knife edge surface of said one sword member is provided by providing such with a stepped configuration. 

1. A method of fabricating pile goods, comprising the steps of: a. delivering pile material along a predetermined path of travel over a revolving drum having radially extending lamellae at its periphery forming a respective pile material-receiving space between each two neighboring lamellae; b. feeding the pile material into these spaces by means of an infeed sword member successively introduced into each one of these spaces to insert the pile material therein; c. during such feeding of the pile material into each given one of the spaces fixedly holding the pile material relative to the revolving drum by introducing a holding sword member into said one space; d. withdrawing the infeed sword member from said one space; e. retaining the holding sword member for such length of time in said one space until the infeed sword member has been introduced into the next space; and f. then repeating steps (a) to (e).
 2. The method of fabricating pile goods as defined in claim 1, including the step of introducing the holding sword member into said one space before the infeed sword member is withdrawn out of said one space.
 3. The method of fabricating pile goods as defined in claim 1, including the step of introducing the holding sword member into said one space directly after the infeed sword member has been withdrawn from said one space.
 4. The method of fabricating pile goods as defined in claim 1, further including the step of altering the pile height by changing the stroke of at least one of the sword members.
 5. The method of fabricating pile goods as defined in claim 4, wherein said at least one sword member, the stroke of which is changed, is said infeed sword member.
 6. The method of fabricating pile goods as defined in claim 4, wherein said at least one sword member, the stroke of which is changed, is said holding sword member.
 7. The method of fabricating pile goods as defined in claim 4, including the step of changing the pile height by providing at least one of said sword members with an irregular knife-edge.
 8. The method as defined in claim 4, including the step of changing the pile height by providing at least one of said sword members with at least partially independently movable sections.
 9. The method as defined in claim 1, including the step of changing the pile height by providing at least one of said sword members with an irregular knife-edge.
 10. The method of fabricating pile goods as defined in claim 1, including the step of changing the pile height by providing at least one of said sword members with at least partially independently movable sections.
 11. The method as defined in claim 9, including the step of changing the pile height by providing at least one of said sword members with at least partially independently movable sections.
 12. The method as defined in claim 7, including the step of changing the pile height by providing at least one of said sword members with at least partially independently movable sections.
 13. The method of fabricaTing pile goods as defined in claim 1, including the step of infeeding the pile material distributed in a random varying quantity over its width for introduction into the spaces.
 14. An apparatus for fabricating pile goods from pile material comprising a machine frame, a drum member rotatably mounted at said machine frame, drive means for rotating said drum member, said rotatable drum member being provided at its periphery with a number of radially protruding essentially parallel spaced lamellae forming therebetween a plurality of spaces, a movable infeed sword member introducable into such spaces, a movable holding sword member for fixedly retaining the introduced pile material, separate drive means for said infeed sword member and holding sword member driven synchronously with respect to the drum drive means, said separate drive means for said infeed sword member and holding sword member serving to displace said infeed sword member and holding sword member towards and away from said drum member and when said infeed sword member and holding sword member are in close proximity at their working position at the drum member such sword members move in the direction of revolving of the drum and when such sword members are moved back into their rest position removed from the surface of the drum member they are returned opposite to the direction of revolving movement of the drum member, means provided at such machine frame for limiting the movement of the infeed sword member opposite to the direction of revolving movement of the drum member, and wherein said infeed sword member is at least movable independently of the holding sword member opposite to the direction of travel of the drum member, and said holding sword member is movable opposite to the direction of revolution of the drum at most up to contact with the infeed sword member.
 15. An apparatus for fabricating pile goods as defined in claim 15, wherein said separate drive means for said infeed sword member and said holding sword member comprise a respective eccentric drive, spring means for biasing both of said sword members opposite to the direction of revolving movement of the drum member, means for movably mounting said sword members at said machine frame, said limiting means being in the form of a stop member provided for said infeed sword member for limiting its mobility opposite to the direction of revolution of the drum member, and wherein said infeed sword member functions as a stop means for limiting the movement of said holding sword member in a direction opposite to the direction of revolving movement of said drum member.
 16. The apparatus as defined in claim 14, further including means for varying the stroke of at least one of said sword members.
 17. The apparatus as defined in claim 16, wherein said stroke varying means comprises lever means connected with said at least one sword member, and displaceable pivot means for pivotably mounting said lever means.
 18. The apparatus as defined in claim 16, wherein at least one of said sword members is provided with a knife edge having an irregular surface.
 19. The apparatus as defined in claim 14, further including means for varying the stroke of each of said sword members.
 20. The apparatus as defined in claim 14, wherein at least one of said sword members possesses a knife edge having an irregular surface.
 21. The apparatus as defined in claim 20, wherein said irregular knife edge surface of said one sword member is provided by providing such with a stepped configuration. 